Friday, March 10, 2017

They're back!

Text and photo from Fred Heath, 2/25/2017

Photo by Fred Heath 2/25/2017

They’re back! The Orobanche cooperi (Broomrape), that is. I’ve been checking various spots along the main tram road where we’ve seen them in the past and finally I found this little group poking through the ground, probably from a single plant.
Many of the plants along the road were buried when the Forest Service decided to blade the road edge last year. I’m hoping that a good percentage will return despite that.
The particular plant in the photo was the first one originally found by Mary Klinkel two years ago when these plants first reappeared after many years absence. There is a Fairy Duster which almost reaches the pavement on the left side of the road going down Deadman’s Hill. Up on a small ledge behind this is a Brittlebush (the most likely host plant) and to the right of the Brittlebush is the Orobanche. If last year is any guide, we should find a bunch more of these plants along the road in the next few weeks.